Shloka 126

आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः

Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca

Devanagari script

अकृत्वा संविदं काज्चित्‌ सहसा समवपष्लुत: । कृतज्ञं कृतकर्माणं कच्चिन्मां नाभिशंकसे,'भैया! तुम मुझसे कोई बातचीत किये बिना ही इस प्रकार सहसा बिलमें क्यों घुस गये? मैं तो तुम्हारा बड़ा ही कृतज्ञ हूँ। मैंने तुम्हारे प्राणोंकी रक्षा करके तुम्हारा भी बड़ा भारी काम किया है। तुम्हें मेरी ओरसे कुछ शंका तो नहीं है?

Transliteration

akṛtvā saṁvidaṁ kāñcit sahasā samavapluṭaḥ | kṛtajñaṁ kṛtakarmāṇaṁ kaccin māṁ nābhiśaṅkase ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “Without having made any prior understanding or even a brief exchange, why have you suddenly slipped into this burrow? I am grateful to you; by protecting your life I have also accomplished a great service for you. You do not harbor any suspicion toward me, do you?”

Word by Word

• {'akṛtvā': 'having not done

• without doing', 'saṁvidam': 'agreement, understanding, prior arrangement

• also a conversation/consultation', 'kāñcit': 'any (at all), some', 'sahasā': 'suddenly, rashly, all at once', 'samavapluṭaḥ': 'having plunged/entered into

• having slipped into (a hole/burrow)', 'kṛtajñam': 'grateful

• one who recognizes a benefit received', 'kṛtakarmāṇam': 'one who has done a deed

• one whose task has been accomplished', 'kaccit': 'whether indeed? (interrogative particle expressing concern)', 'mām': 'me', 'na': 'not', 'abhiśaṅkase': 'you suspect, you mistrust'}

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights ethical expectations around trust and gratitude: one should not act abruptly without consultation, and one should not repay protection or benefaction with suspicion. It underscores the moral importance of clear communication and recognizing help received.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma addresses someone who has suddenly entered a burrow without any prior discussion. He reminds the person that he protected their life and asks anxiously whether they have begun to suspect him despite that help.